The tri-campus
University of Washington Restoration Ecology Network (REN) provides educational,
outreach and research leadership in ecological restoration. REN facilitates
interdisciplinary approaches to restoration education, student research and
hands-on participation in restoration, faculty interaction across disciplines
and campuses, and campus – community interactions.

General Objectives

To promote study of ecological
restoration that is multidisciplinary, integrated and has a strong hands-on
component in order to prepare students for the challenges of ecological
restoration (planning, implementation, monitoring, and teaching),
particularly in the Pacific Northwest region.

To foster linkages among faculty
of diverse expertise across campuses and thereby promote multidisciplinary
perspectives in ecological restoration.

To develop outreach programs which
connect REN educational initiatives to environmental education in the K-12
school systems, community colleges and the general public.

To develop connections between UW
and community groups, businesses,governmental entities, and
non-profit organizations to further regional efforts in ecological
restoration while providing practical experiences for UW students.

To develop
principal sites of restoration activity for each campus in a coordinated
fashion that will serve as primary focal points for the above objectives.

Specific
Objectives

To promote study of ecological restoration that is
multidisciplinary, integrated and has a strong hands-on component in
order to prepare students for the challenges of ecological restoration
(planning, implementation, monitoring, and teaching), particularly in the
Pacific Northwest region.

Develop courses and/or course coordination in the realm of
ecological restoration & conservation that will bring strong elements of
interdisciplinary approaches and foster faculty collaboration across
specialties. Work toward mechanisms for long-term sustainability of these
courses after the initial 3-year REN funding cycle.

Develop the UW-REN Capstone Program to provide integrated and
meaningful practical experiences in restoration for each student as required by
their specific degree program. Work to unify the academic expectations of the
different degree capstone requirements for students interested in the UW-REN
Capstone Program and promote the creation of interdisciplinary teams of students
from more than one campus where appropriate and practical.

Develop a network of student research and practical
opportunities in restoration within and beyond the university (outside of their
capstone experiences). The REN should act as a place that students will turn to
first to explore possibilities for independent practical experiences and
research in ecological restoration.

Develop opportunities for students to extend their practical
and research experiences in restoration to "professional", teaching
and/or outreach presentations. This will allow motivated students to further
refine their knowledge and hone vital presentation and teaching skills. Some
options students might pursue are outlined below.

The REN web site will act as a
clearinghouse for selected individuals to examine possible projects
(permission only) that are collected in conjunction with the capstone
program.

Undergraduate student research will
have an electronic presentation requirement. The completed work (both
capstone and independent projects) will be presented on the REN web site in
various possible formats including a journal style.

Graduate student involvement in
design and initial implementation of unique lab / field experiences for
courses

To foster linkages among faculty of diverse
expertise across campuses and thereby promote multidisciplinary
perspectives in ecological restoration.

This general objective will be addressed by activities
outlined under the specific objectives 1A and 1B above.

To develop outreach programs which connect REN
education initiatives to environmental education in the K-12 school
systems, community colleges and the general public.

Develop programs to provide interpretive education in
ecological restoration and conservation at one principal field location near
each UW campus. UW students will be principally responsible for the
development of specific educational material and program elements, working in
conjunction with faculty supervision and appropriate public / K-20
counterparts.

Initiate a restoration education symposium that will focus
on how to educate and disseminate information in the realm of ecological
restoration and conservation. This will not be a conference focused on
restoration research and practical issues, but instead will focus on the
educational components (as is the REN focus).

Elements of specific objectives 1A, 1C, and 1D will also
apply here.

To develop connections between UW and regional
community groups, businesses, governmental entities, and non-profit
organizations to further regional efforts in ecological restoration while
providing practical experience for UW students.

This general objective falls under the purview of specific
objectives 1A, 1C, 1D, 3A, and 3B outlined above.

To develop principal sites of restoration activity
for each campus in a coordinated fashion that will serve as primary focal
points for the above objectives.

Develop coordinated programs of site characterization,
maintenance and monitoring at primary restoration sites near each campus.
These are tentatively identified as North Creek (UWB), Union Bay (UWS) and
Dickman Mill (UWT). Also to identify and catalog other potential sites (e.g.,
Big Beef Creek) for future inclusion as intensive sites of REN activities.
Along with this objective is the understanding of a need for long term
planning of REN activities, particularly beyond the initial three-year funding
horizon.